Sunday, 17 April 2016

10 ways Budget 2016 will change Singapore

By Charissa Yong, The Straits Times, 16 Apr 2016

President Tony Tan Keng Yam gave the Budget the green light yesterday, paving the way for the Government to carry out its spending plans for the new financial year.Dr Tan's assent came a day after the spending plans were approved in Parliament, following nine days of debate when MPs scrutinised the budgets of the Government and individual ministries.The plans set out how much the Government can spend, and on what.

For the financial year beginning April 1, total government expenditure, including special transfers, will be $79.7 billion.

This year's Budget includes several changes that aim to improve the lives of Singaporeans in years to come.

These range from a long-championed reform of the PSLE grading system to removing early next year the disadvantages children of unwed mothers face.

Other measures, from developing a new town in the west to installing more police cameras in public areas, will physically transform Singapore.

First, the KidStart programme will provide about 1,000 children aged up to six years with learning and health support, like basic immunisations.

Second, the Child Development Account First Step grant of $3,000 for parents to use for their kids' healthcare and childcare. This will benefit lower-income families who cannot afford to deposit $3,000 first into the account before they can enjoy a dollar for dollar matching by the Government.

Third, young children who live in a public rental flat will have a better chance of moving into a permanent home. Their parents can apply for a grant to buy a two-room flat under the Fresh Start Housing Scheme.

Last, unwed mothers will get the same 16-week maternity leave that is given to married mothers, in a significant move to avoid discriminating against their children.2 More father-child bonding timeWorking dads will get to spend more time at home with their newborns from next year.

Marks will also not be based on how pupils do relative to their peers, as they are now, to curb unhealthy competition among them.

"Chasing after that last point in an exam could come at a cost to other aspects of our children's overall development," Acting Minister for Education (Schools) Ng Chee Meng said, when announcing the change.